The
EL-8026 is claimed the world’s first calculator using solar cells instead of
batteries. Within the Datamath Calculator Museum we don't share this opinion and
refer the Teal Photon as world's first
calculator OPERATED by solar cells. The EL-8026 is actually based on the
EL-8020 introduced in March 1976 and using two small,
coin-shaped rechargeable batteries with a connector for the AC adaptor. The
EL-8026 has no provision for a charger, instead using solar cells mounted on the
BACK of the housing to recharge the batteries in bright sunlight.

The power consumption of the calculator was higher and the efficiency
of the solar cells lower than today and Sharp's first solar operated calculator,
the EL-825 introduced in 1979, covered a huge area with solar cells.

It took till 1981 before Texas Instruments entered with the TI-1766
the market of LCD-calculators powered by solar cells.

Don't miss the Sharp EL-8130
intriduced in 1977 with a novel touch keyboard. Overall thickness of the calculator was only 0.2 inches.